South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has firmly objected to the newly imposed 30% import tariff introduced by US President Donald Trump, calling the move “unilateral” and lacking mutual consultation.
The decision, announced by Trump on Monday, will take effect from August 1 and targets imports from South Africa. Notably, South Africa is the only African nation included in this round of tariff increases — a move many analysts interpret as a signal of deteriorating diplomatic and trade ties between the two governments.
In an official letter addressed to President Ramaphosa, Trump defended his decision, claiming that the current trade relationship between the two countries has been “far from reciprocal,” implying that the United States has been at a disadvantage.
President Ramaphosa, in his response, rejected that assertion. He argued that the newly announced tariff is based on a flawed interpretation of trade statistics and does not reflect the reality of trade flows between the two countries. He emphasized that available trade data shows a more balanced and fair exchange than what Trump’s administration is suggesting.
The tariff is expected to deal a significant blow to South Africa’s economy. The United States is South Africa’s second-largest trading partner, and many sectors — particularly the automotive and agricultural industries — have relied heavily on duty-free access to the American market under existing trade agreements.
Trump’s announcement came as part of a wider international trade policy shift, with similar letters reportedly sent to 13 other nations. However, South Africa remains the only African country on the list, highlighting the singular nature of the trade dispute with Pretoria.
The South African government has hinted it may seek further dialogue with US authorities and possibly escalate the matter to international trade forums if no resolution is found.
